The next time he saw her, she was reading a book given to her by the Princess before departing to assist the King. He sat behind the Prince, who was also reading. Namjoon liked the royal library because it was quiet and smelled like paper, giving him a sense of calm. Having Lady Sarang so close to him, on the other hand, made him almost shake with nervousness. He could hear his sword tapping on the chair as he shook. He only wished the Prince hadn’t heard him and told him to stop.

Soon after, the Prince stood up and closed the astronomy book he was reading. Despite his desire to stay longer, Namjoon did the same. He walked alongside the Prince as they made their way to where Lady Sarang sat. He could feel his heart beating in his palm as his hand tightened around the locket of his sword. Lady Sarang appeared to be engrossed in her book, her eyes scanning the page seemed as if nothing could distract her. Namjoon, on the other hand, was aware that she was observing them.

He could see it in the way she sat straight and alert, face devoid of emotion and eyes subtly looking to the side from time to time as if calculating when the prince would arrive. Namjoon thought it was cute. She was a good actress, but he preferred it when she was reading a book and pretended no one was watching. When she couldn't read something, she'd squint her eyes and make so many different facial expressions that Namjoon could tell what kind of book she was reading just by looking at her. He found it very endearing.

"Your Highness," Lady Sarang said to the Crown Prince, putting down her book for a moment.

"Lady Sarang, surprising to see you in the library," the Prince said as he paused to speak with the young lady. Namjoon wished he could look up, but he couldn't because he was in the presence of his Prince and a noblewoman who was also the Princess’ apprentice.

"Your Highness, the Princess chose a wonderful novel for me." Namjoon's heart skipped a beat as she responded in a soft but controlled voice. It wasn't the first time he'd come this close to her. The Crown Prince had many encounters with Lady Sarang since she was assigned as the Princess’ apprentice, but they never spoke. However, the Prince’s decision to start a conversation did not surprise Namjoon because the Prince was always friendly and curious even towards strangers, despite the fact that Lady Sarang was far from a mere stranger.

Seokjin peered behind her and at the title of the book, curious about what his mother and Lady Sarang read. "Another one about a Queen’s leadership, I see. She must think highly of you." He raised his brows.

Namjoon wanted to say 'yes' so badly because he felt strangely proud of her. He recalled the day Lady Sarang returned to the palace after living in the north for many years. He almost didn't recognise her. She walked and spoke so gracefully that he couldn't believe she was the same Sarang he'd known before.

She used to accompany him and the Prince on their little adventures and complain all day about being tired and wanting to make flower necklaces instead. She was loud and annoying, and her punches occasionally left blue bruises on Namjoon's shoulders. He remembered being irritated at not being able to hit her back. She was a girl sure, but she was also the daughter of the King's closest advisor. He could even lay a hand on his friend, the next in line to the throne, but not on her. She was a spoiled brat he couldn't stand most of the time,  but when she left when he was twelve, he refused to admit it, unlike the Prince. 

"I'm doing my best, Your Highness, to meet her standards," Lady Sarang replied, bringing Namjoon back from his brief trip down memory lane. 

The Prince, his best friend, and Lady Sarang, his love, were staring at each other, seemingly lost in each other's eyes.

Namjoon's grip on his sword gradually loosened as he attempted to look down again. However the same couldn’t be said for his ears, that moment seemed to last forever.

Lady Sarang smiled briefly before looking down shyly. Namjoon returned his gaze to the floor.

She smiled.

But it wasn’t towards him, her smile was towards the Prince instead.